Primarily based on the success of the SABRE checks this 12 months, Denison and Orano plan to guage the potential mining methodology for future mining on the McClean Lake and collectively owned Midwest (Orano 75%, Denison 25%) uranium tasks.
McClean Lake is a three way partnership of Orano (77.5% and operator), Denison (22.5%) and OURD Canada (7.5%).
Sabre expertise defined
SABRE is a non-entry, surface-based mining methodology that makes use of a high-pressure water jet positioned on the backside of a drill gap to excavate a mining cavity. The cuttings from the excavation course of are air lifted to floor, separated and stockpiled for processing.
SABRE is considered as an revolutionary mining methodology that might doubtlessly permit for the financial entry to comparatively small high-grade orebodies within the Athabasca Basin which can be both too small or too deep to be mined economically by open pit or underground mining strategies.
It’s distinctive in that the mining methodology could be selective and scalable, which has the potential to supply flexibility and is thus ideally suited to ever-changing uranium market situations. One benefit is its quick manufacturing ramp up of months as an alternative of years.
The SABRE methodology is taken into account environmentally pleasant on account of its small floor footprint when in comparison with standard open pit or underground mining strategies. Lowered water utilization and energy consumption additionally contribute to reductions in greenhouse gasoline emissions and improved sustainability. Moreover, as a non-entry mining methodology, radiological publicity for mine staff is minimized.
(This text first appeared within the Canadian Mining Journal)
